Correction comes in many different forms. It is a tool designed to right mistakes made by an individual so that when the same set of circumstances arises, a new and better path is chosen. Correction should never be classified as abuse, because it is always performed out of love or concern. Solomon had a lot to say about correction in the Proverbs. This is the first of many times Solomon will tell his son about correction and it is never in a negative aspect but always positive.
"My son, do not despise nor shirk from the chastening of the Lord - His correction by punishment, or by subjection to suffering or trial; neither be weary and impatient and loathe or abhor His reproof..." Proverbs 3:11, Amplified
The book of Judges is a great place to see this spiritual concept in action. Moses had died as well as Joshua; the people had no leader. Israel was supposed to be Theocracy, governed by God. However, without a physical person to keep them from slipping into sin, the Israelites would turn to idols for answers and the Lord would turn to discipline for correction. This correction came in many different forms of Gentile kings and leaders. When the oppression became too much for the Israelites, they would call out to the Lord for deliverance and that deliverer would come in the form of a Judge.
The spiritual concept of correction by the Lord is not an Old Testament philosophy or idea. We serve the same God as the Israelites did. The writer of the book of Hebrews explains this concept. He begins by quoting Proverbs 3:11-12 then expounds more on the subject. "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons." (Hebrews 12:7-8, NKJV) We need not worry if we are being chastened by the Lord, it is when we are not being chastened that we need to worry. Solomon elaborates more on this concept in the next verse.
"For whom the Lord loves he corrects, even as a father corrects the son in who he delights." Proverbs 3:12, Amplified
It is a spiritual concept that can be viewed in everyday life. If a father loves his son then he will correct the son by means if discipline. Discipline is designed to create a new thought process in the child so that when the same set of circumstances arises, a new choice will be made (as I stated earlier). Without love there are two different categories that arise. For the corrector to correct without love is to become an abuser. No correction comes about by bruises, broken bones or scarring; only fear (not reverence) is a byproduct of abuse. Also without love the correctee becomes uncorrected. The writer of hebrews told us that if there is no correction then we are illegitimate and not sons. We become ignored.
Now there is something that I want everyone to understand. Before we came to our belief in Christ we were all illegitimate. There is a big difference from leading someone to the right path by way of direction and the concept of correction. Leading someone to Christ does not involve correction or discipline, but guidance and love. It is only after we have made the choice of following Christ that we come under correction and discipline, and that only because the Lord loves us. We are adopted, or grafted, into the family of Christ. Love gave us the chance for that adoption and correction is proof of that love.
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